All Grown up!

Well...my kindergartener made it and came home with smiles, giggles and stories.  I on the other hand did not do so well yesterday.  Sending your child away on a school bus for the first time is the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  I have now worn the shoes of a parent of a kindergartener and it puts everything in perspective.  I kept reminding myself all day (with the help of my husband) that he is fine and to imagine what I would be doing with my class on the first day of school.  What a day!
Charlie apparently got to visit the Library, he painted a fish with one special scale (The Rainbow Fish), he listened to the "Kissing Hand".  He heard music and had centers.  He told his Daddy, " It's just that I don't really like the Housekeeping Center."  We also asked if his teacher had to "talk" to him during the day and remind him to follow the rules.  It took awhile for him to open up but before falling asleep he said, "Mommy, you can tell Daddy but don't tell Mary Kate.  I banged the Choo Choo Trains on the track and made them crash and she said....pause....Don't do that."My sweet boy, let's hope he is always this honest.  So, the reality has hit me, he does this everyday, 5 days a week.   Here we go!!!!!!!

Decluttering my brain

I have officially quit Facebook!!!  It has been something that I have been wanting to do for awhile now.  After being reminded at school about the precautions teachers MUST take, I decided it wasn't worth the worry.  I found myself wasting precious minutes of my life reading about pointless posts and searching through pictures of people I barely even know.  No offense to all my loved ones and best buddies out there, I will miss being apart of your Facebook life.  I just got to easily sucked into something that was not a necessity in my life.  Please email me or check on my blog for updates and photos.

New Beginnings

As we say farewell to a wonderful summer...

My life is faced with new beginnings this week and the weeks to come.  Mama started a new school.  It has been like walking into a brand new family and I feel like they have welcomed me with open arms.  Charlie starts Kindergarten next week.  As if the heart tugs of a working mom or being a mom in general are not hard enough, we have to send our little 5 year olds on a big yellow school bus with big kids and a big backpack and lots of food because he is there all day and I just know there will be tears because there already has been.  I just want to freeze time for my kids in the moments when they are filled with pure joy and giggling with excitement about starting school.  I feel like I am sending my boy into the world saying, " Ok, now use everything good I have taught you and don't show your mama's temper, at least not the first week.  And just be kind to other people, be helpful and listen."
I love my smart, inquisitive little man and I think that Kindergarten is going to be a magical place for him!  My sweet little angle starts her preschool career this fall also.  I think after Charlie got his shots for Kindergarten, Mary Kate expressed "I don't have to go to Kindergarten for a long long time".  I am glad she is not in a rush.  I wouldn't be either if I had to watch my brother get held down, while he was kicking and screaming and shot with the DTap.
Mary Kate is equally excited to start her new dance career at a new studio.  I am happy that I get to take her on Saturday mornings and I feel like I need this special girly time with my girl.  Just a few things that I love hearing...

Charlie, "Mommy, mommy.....pause....I love you"
Mary Kate "Bomatoes (tomatoes)"
Charlie and Mary Kate " It's just that we want to go where the coconuts are.  It's just that we have never had coconut milk mommy."

Time Away

We all had a little time away from home the past two weeks.  The kids enjoyed a week with Nana and Papa on Kelley's Island.  Enjoy, doesn't quite cut it.  They had a blast!  I am not sure what I was worried about leaving them, but they had the time of their lives.  Making memories with their grandparents is a wonderful gift!

Nick and I flew into Ft. Lauderdale, visited with some old friends, tried the new surfer frenzy "Paddle Boards" and had an amazing dinner with an old Round Hill Family!  Friday we cruised on down to the Keys to the most amazing, off the beaten path resort!  Casa Morada fulfilled all our expectations and more! The serene atmosphere was just what the doctor ordered!  Saturday morning we got up early with Captain Chris for a back country fishing exploration.  It turns out, I LOVE TO FISH!  We had a blast.  The boat ride alone in the Gulf of Mexico was breathtaking! We fought a huge Tarpin but left without a big catch.  We were served drinks on the water by a dear man named Bernardo from Ecuador (He raises shrimp).  We swam in crystal clear bath water along the Gulf coast.  We saw dolphins and sea turtles.  We enjoyed quiet meals and uninterrupted sleep for 5 days.  Life is good!

I spent the rest of the week in Ohio with my family.  The Chicago city mice met the Virginia country mice and had a ball.  They performed in two America's  Got Talent shows in Nana's living room.  Hilarious!!! Had a great meet up with my old HS pal and discovered a great new park (you know the good kind...tire swings, zip-lines, double-wide slides).

It's always nice to return home to your own pillow.  I am now back to focusing on the last days of summer and the school year ahead.  It's hard to believe this time has gone so fast.  It always does.